Archive for the ‘Podcasts’ Category

[Podcast #288] Opening Pandora’s Box: Social Media, Publishing, and Facebook

Brave Writer Podcast

Do you ever wonder why publishing feels harder than ever—even for talented writers? In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we unpack:

  • the shifting realities of the publishing world,
  • the gatekeeping role of social media,
  • and how authors are increasingly responsible for their own marketing, platforms, and sales.

We also share a personal story about losing tens of thousands of Facebook followers overnight and how that loss spotlighted the fragile ecosystem of modern author visibility. As always, we advocate for connection over clout and remind you that real growth often happens offline—in living rooms, book clubs, and homeschooling co-ops.

If this conversation resonates with you, share the episode with a friend or leave us a review. Word-of-mouth is still the best algorithm. Listen now for an honest look at the highs and heartbreaks of writing in the digital age.

Show Notes

In the ever-evolving world of publishing, one truth has emerged with startling clarity: writing a good book is no longer enough. Today, publishers are placing their bets on celebrity authors, viral sensations, and social media darlings—often before they even consider the merit of a manuscript.

Traditional publishing once operated on the belief that great writing would be recognized and supported by a team. Editors championed books to the marketing department, and publishers helped authors reach readers. Now, those roles have shifted. Authors are expected to arrive with their own audience—complete with analytics, engagement rates, and short-form video skills.

The platform paradox

This isn’t just frustrating—it’s discouraging. Especially for writers in niche fields like homeschooling or middle-grade fiction, building a sizable platform often means stepping away from the very work that fuels their passion. The time spent crafting thoughtful prose or researching meaningful educational resources is now diverted into reels, hashtags, and follower counts.

We’ve felt this pressure firsthand. After years of cultivating an authentic connection with our community, a recent hacking incident resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of Facebook followers. The response from the platform? Robotic and dismissive. The expectation was clear: rebuild or vanish. But rebuilding isn’t a simple request—it’s a full-time job.

When authors foot the bill

The cost isn’t just emotional. Many authors now fund their own book marketing—sometimes spending the entirety of their advance (or more) just to make a book visible. If that book doesn’t “earn out,” royalties may never arrive.

We hear from parents and aspiring authors who still believe that being picked up by a major publisher guarantees visibility, support, and book sales. But the truth is, publishers often look to the author to provide the customer base, not the other way around.

Why connection still matters

Meanwhile, those who came up in an earlier publishing era remember a time when publicists booked interviews and arranged tours. Today, most authors manage their own events, marketing materials, and outreach. It’s a heavy lift—especially when what we want most is simply to write.

And yet, we’re reminded again and again that genuine connection still matters. In-person book clubs, homeschooling meetups, and podcast conversations remain some of the most meaningful tools for sharing ideas. These are the spaces where content isn’t just consumed—it’s discussed, questioned, and cherished.

The invitation to keep going

If you’re a writer—or nurturing one in your homeschool—we urge you to keep going. The landscape may feel inhospitable, but great writing still matters. You may not know what platform will rise next, or whether your book will ever go viral. But the work is still worth doing. Your voice is worth hearing. Keep writing.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA

Brave Writer Podcast

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[Podcast #287] Interesting Conversation with Julie and Melissa

Brave Writer Podcast

Sometimes, the most meaningful conversations aren’t planned—they unfold.

In this week’s Brave Writer podcast episode, we drop in on an unscripted, delightful catch-up between two close friends. From Julie’s recent retreat at Miraval (complete with clay turtles and 7 a.m. birdwatching) to Melissa’s college days giving prairie nature tours, this episode traces the kinds of stories and reflections that surface when we give ourselves time to notice.

We talk about:

  • how naming things builds intimacy,
  • the role of repetition in learning (and music!),
  • and why modeling beeswax might be the best-kept secret in home education.

There are nods to Charlotte Mason, Lynda Barry, roadrunners, rereading A Room with a View, and a clay plaque that simply says “mama.”

Tune in for a rich, meandering conversation about creativity, nature, grief, and the quiet power of doing something more than once.

Show Notes

There are times when what we need most in a learning journey—or in life—is a moment to pause and share stories. This week, we took a break from the usual format to have a good old-fashioned catch-up conversation. What came out was a thread of experiences that, while varied, all seemed to circle around creativity, observation, and connection.

Clay, Creativity, and the Joy of Unfinished Things

Julie recently returned from a retreat where she spent time working with air-dry clay—not to make anything impressive, but simply to feel it in her hands. She sculpted animals, a cactus, and a little plaque that said “mama.” The freedom to create and destroy, to not worry about outcomes, reminded us how powerful it is for kids to explore art in ephemeral ways. Melissa recalled doing beeswax modeling with her kids and noticing how deeply satisfying it was for her as an adult. The sensory experience, the quiet concentration—it wasn’t about performance, just presence.

Birds, Naming, and Noticing

Julie’s birdwatching walk at the retreat opened up a whole new world. From vermilion flycatchers to quails darting across the path, she was reminded of how naming what we see builds intimacy. Melissa chimed in with her own memories of giving nature tours in college, pointing out burrowing owls on the Colorado prairie. When we know what something is called, it becomes part of our world—and that sense of belonging is at the heart of education.

Repetition, Music, and the Rhythm of Learning

We also reflected on repetition—not as a failure to move forward, but as a vital part of how we learn. Melissa mentioned how we don’t question listening to the same music over and over again, yet sometimes worry when kids reread the same book. But repetition is variation’s dance partner. As Julie recalled from a music history professor: all music is built on repetition and surprise. So is learning.

Wandering with Purpose

Whether it’s drawing while listening to music, observing a single tree across the seasons, or returning to the same book or craft again and again, these quiet practices build a deep well of understanding. They invite us to slow down, to notice, and to return—not just to the activity itself, but to the feelings and connections it evokes. In a world that often urges us to move on to the next thing, there’s something profoundly grounding about staying with what we love a little longer. These are the small, sustaining moments where real learning—and real living—take root.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA

Brave Writer Podcast

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[Podcast #286] A Deep Dive with Sharon McMahon

Brave Writer Podcast

How do we prepare our children to think critically in an age of overwhelming information, bias, and quick judgments?

In today’s Brave Writer podcast episode with special guest Sharon McMahon, we explore how true critical thinking requires a tolerance for discomfort and a commitment to understanding perspectives beyond our own.

Sharon McMahon
Sharon McMahon

We reflect on lessons from history, including unsung heroes like Harriet Tubman and Anna Thomas Jeanes, and emphasize the importance of presenting children with varied viewpoints rather than indoctrinating them with a single narrative. We also discuss strategies for fostering resilience, optimism, and humility as we engage thoughtfully with the world around us.

Join us for a conversation full of hope, encouragement, and practical ideas for raising critical thinkers in a complicated world. Listen to the full episode for a deeper dive!

Show Notes

We often hear the phrase “critical thinking,” but practicing it means more than simply disagreeing with ideas we don’t like. True critical thinking requires a tolerance for discomfort. It asks us to sit with viewpoints we may instinctively resist, to probe them for internal logic, and to understand what values they express. When we rush to judgment, we short-circuit the very skills we hope to foster. Instead, we must model and encourage curiosity, patience, and the willingness to question even our most deeply held beliefs.

Exposing Children to Varied Perspectives

One way we can cultivate these skills is by exposing our children to a variety of perspectives—not only those that confirm our worldview. It is tempting, especially as homeschooling parents, to pass along only what we personally hold dear. But if our goal is to raise independent thinkers, we must be willing to provide them with information they can evaluate for themselves. Critical thinking grows through practice, not indoctrination.

Learning from History’s Heroes

History offers powerful lessons here. We reflected on the work of individuals like Harriet Tubman and Anna Thomas Jeanes—figures who, despite immense obstacles, chose to act with courage and conviction. Their lives remind us that external circumstances, no matter how daunting, do not define our capacity for impact. Rather than waiting for a perfect moment, they did what they could, where they were, with the resources available to them. This model of action serves not only as inspiration but also as a blueprint for how we can engage with our own uncertain times.

Finding Optimism in Uncertain Times

It is easy to feel overwhelmed when facing the complexities of today’s world. Trust in institutions has eroded. Algorithms funnel us into narrow echo chambers. Disagreements within families and communities can feel impossibly wide. Yet optimism is still available to us. We can reclaim it by shifting our focus away from “winning” debates and toward nurturing relationships, sustaining open dialogue, and upholding shared values like the rule of law.

Fostering Understanding Through Curiosity

Even when disagreements arise, we are called to ask ourselves: What beautiful outcome does the other person’s vision seek? This question helps us move beyond caricatures and into genuine understanding, even when agreement remains elusive. Our children benefit when they see us practicing this kind of humility and resilience.

Preparing Children to Engage Thoughtfully

The work of raising critical thinkers is not about creating perfect citizens or perfect circumstances. It is about inviting our children to engage thoughtfully with the world as it is, to question, to listen, and to act with integrity. In doing so, we prepare them not only to navigate a complicated world but to contribute to its healing and betterment.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA

Brave Writer Podcast

Posted in Podcasts | Comments Off on [Podcast #286] A Deep Dive with Sharon McMahon